Inquiry with impact

Public Interest Technology University Network

PIT-UN

UC Santa Cruz has joined the Public Interest Technology University Network, a partnership of 36 colleges and universities dedicated to building the nascent field of public interest technology and growing a new generation of civic-minded technologists. Co-convened by the Institute for Social Transformation and CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, this initiative bridges every corner of the campus.

PIT-UN launched in 2018 by New America, the Ford Foundation, and the Hewlett Foundation. It represents a collaboration across sectors to define and build the public interest technology sector.

“Technology is driving a lot of our inequality, and a focused, high-level effort to be sure technology is used for social good is a really timely thing.”

Chris Benner, a professor of sociology and environmental studies, and one of the faculty members who took the lead on the campus’s application

The overall goal for UC Santa Cruz in its first year in the network is to help integrate the diverse range of initiatives on campus related to public interest technology into a more cohesive network on campus. We are planning a series of quarterly campus workshops starting in the spring quarter with focus on 1) curriculum planning and development, 2) alumni relationships and student career development, 3) project funding and support, and 4) coordination of experiential learning opportunities.

In regards to the broader PIT-UN network, UC Santa Cruz is excited to strengthen existing collaborations, such as with UC Berkeley, while identifying opportunities for new collaborations with other network members.

Chris Benner, director of the Institute for Social Transformation, and Michael Matkin, assistant director of CITRIS and the Banatao Institute, will oversee the PIT-UN effort at UC Santa Cruz.

For information on joining the collaborative, please contact Chris Benner cbenner@ucsc.edu.

Funding Opportunities

2020 CITRIS Tech for Social Good Student Project & Event Funding – Now Closed
See the Funded Projects Here

Students can get up to $5000 for project ideas and up to $1000 for events that explore technology-focussed solutions to societal challenges. Learn more about the program at: https://citris.sites.ucsc.edu/tech-for-social-good/

Information and matchmaking sessions for students – plus staff and faculty working with students they feel would be interested – will be held via Zoom on the following dates:

  • Thursday, October 15th from 9:00 – 10:00 am – RSVP here
  • Wednesday, October 19th from 3:00 to 4:00 pm – RSVP here
  • Thursday, October 21st, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm – RSVP here

The info sessions will walk through the application process and also provide an opportunity for students to pitch their project and event ideas in order to connect with other students interested in working on the idea. So anyone interested in solving societal challenges, whether they have an idea or not, should attend.

Students can apply online at:

Questions: Contact Michael Matkin at mmatkin@ucsc.edu

Assistant Director of CITRIS and the Banatao Institute at UC Santa Cruz

Network Challenge Fund Opportunity – deadline June 1, 2020

The Network Challenge seeks to encourage new ideas, foster collaborations, and incentivize resource- and information-sharing among network members. The broad goal is to fund projects that help train a new generation of graduates who have both technological literacy and a rigorous foundation to navigate the societal, ethical, legal, policy, and equity implications of technology by offering a systematic way of studying technology as a tool for addressing social problems in the world.

Internal deadline is June 1, 2020. Applications are open to all PIs on UCSC Campus. One year project funding is available in three tranches: up to $45,000, up to $90,000 and up to $180,000. An initial campus limited submission process will select up to three projects that will be submitted to the network committee. Applications can be submitted here.

To answer questions, and to discuss ideas and collaborations, we will hold a Zoom Info Session next Tuesday, May 12th from 3:00 – 4:00 PM. RSVP here.